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How To Stop Viruses Spreading Into Your Home With Good Dog Paw Hygiene
How To Stop Viruses Spreading Into Your Home With Good Dog Paw Hygiene
By Perky Tails
Note: As the global COVID-19 pandemic spreads, there’s a troubling trend of people abandoning their pets over fears of catching or spreading the novel coronavirus [1]. It’s important to recognize that pets cannot catch COVID-19 — so no dogs get sick from human coronavirus exposure — nor can they virally transmit it to humans [2]. There is no reason to abandon, stop exercising, or stop playing with your pet (and there’s plenty of evidence that caring for a dog may actually keep you emotionally and physically healthier during the outbreak) [3].
That said, just like any other surface, dogs’ fur and paw pads can temporarily harbor microorganisms that can cause infection if they roll in or walk through contaminants. That’s why keeping your pets clean — just like keeping your hands clean, disinfecting commonly-touched surfaces in your home, taking off your shoes outside, and rinsing off grocery items — during the COVID-19 pandemic (or any other outbreak or epidemic) is a smart preventive measure [4].
Why Good Dog Paw Hygiene Is Good For You & Your Pet During the COVID-19 Outbreak
It’s very likely that all of your dog coronavirus fears are unfounded, even with reports that one (count them: one) dog in Hong Kong was found to have a small number of coronavirus germs in its mouth when living with a person who tested positive. In that situation, the human likely brought the virus home, and the dog licked a contaminated surface not long before testing [5].
Nevertheless, good dog paw cleaning practices — like using a dog paw cleaning cup to rinse your dog’s paws before letting them in the house — can do much more for their (and your) health and wellness than just keep the carpets clean. While there’s no such thing as dog coronavirus, or even dog coronavirus carriers, it’s important to do what you can not to get sick right now. Plus, it can be good for your peace of mind to stop viruses spreading into and throughout your home on your dog’s paws, even if the chance that the virus you stop could cause COVID-19 is small!
How Your Pet-Care Routines Should Change During The COVID-19 Pandemic
You shouldn’t be overly worried about either dogs getting sick from humans who have COVID-19 or the emergence of a strain of dog coronavirus that could jump from dog to people. That said, knowing what’s safe and what isn’t when it comes to exercising your dog, taking them to the groomer or a daycare/sitter, or keeping them inside during the COVID-19 outbreak, can be confusing. The biggest rules for pet care during the COVID-19 outbreak are:
(1) If you test positive for COVID-19: you won’t be able to take your pet outside your own house/yard for exercise, so stock up on interactive toys that can help them feel entertained and exercise while you’re quarantined [6]! Also, try to limit exposure to/contact with your pets if someone else is taking care of them, so they aren’t potentially exposed to coronavirus pathogens coughed up onto their coat; the chances of transmission this way are exceedingly slim, but it’s better to be safe than sorry [7]
2) If you don’t have COVID-19, it’s safe outside: it’s safe to exercise your dog (and even recommended) out in the open, where you both can get fresh air. Just avoid crowded dog parks and other social gathering spaces, stay about two meters apart from other dog owners, and don’t let your dog eat/lick/roll on items that you don’t know are free from contamination [8].
(3) Either way, plan to keep your dog entertained at home: Social distancing may be needed for months to slow and stop the COVID-19 outbreak, so stock up on toys and treats so your dog can have fun at home [9]. Doggy day cares and groomers may not reopen for a while yet, so interactive dog toys are a good way to occupy and exercise your dog during quarantine, self-isolation, or social distancing [8].
Interactive toys and ball toys can also help keep hyperactive dogs from disrupting your workday if you’re working from home.
Dog Coronavirus Isn’t The Biggest Risk Of Having Dirty Paws, But Dog Paw Cleaning Is How To Stop Viruses & Other Organisms That Are!
The fact of the matter is, there’s a lot of other contagious paw-bourne conditions to worry about while you also work to stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. That’s why learning how to stop viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites from spreading with good dog paw cleaning practices is still important whether the COVID-19 outbreak is active in your area or not!
For example, some dogs get sick from viruses like parvo after they (or other dogs in the home) step in the stool of an infected dog and track the virus back into the house [10]. Likewise, walking through virus-, bacteria, fungus, or parasite-laden poo or soil is how dogs get sick with intestinal parasites, leptospirosis, ringworm, and even canine influenza [11]. For reference, you can get parasites and fungal infections from your dog [12]!
Walking through pesticides, fertilizer, and allergens is another paw-bourne threat to your dog’s health that can also have negative consequences for you and your family, especially if you’ve got anyone at home who’s very sensitive to chemicals or pollen. Having good dog paw hygiene and using a dog paw cleaning cup before letting dogs inside stops problems with accidental exposure before they start
The fact of the matter is, there’s a lot of other contagious paw-bourne conditions to worry about while you also work to stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. That’s why learning how to stop viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites from spreading with good dog paw cleaning practices is still important whether the COVID-19 outbreak is active in your area or not!
For example, some dogs get sick from viruses like parvo after they (or other dogs in the home) step in the stool of an infected dog and track the virus back into the house [10]. Likewise, walking through virus-, bacteria, fungus, or parasite-laden poo or soil is how dogs get sick with intestinal parasites, leptospirosis, ringworm, and even canine influenza [11]. For reference, you can get parasites and fungal infections from your dog [12]!
Walking through pesticides, fertilizer, and allergens is another paw-bourne threat to your dog’s health that can also have negative consequences for you and your family, especially if you’ve got anyone at home who’s very sensitive to chemicals or pollen. Having good dog paw hygiene and using a dog paw cleaning cup before letting dogs inside stops problems with accidental exposure before they start.
Other Reasons Why A Dog Paw Cleaning Cup Is A Smart Investment
The added bonus of buying a dog paw cleaning cup is that regular cleaning means regular close inspection of your dog’s paws, which is an essential part of good dog paw hygiene! Because you have to get close to, touch, and manipulate your dog’s paws to use a dog paw cleaning cup, you’re more likely to notice when they need a nail trim as well as whether they have any injuries, irritation, or dryness/splitting on the pads. Practicing good dog paw hygiene can even help save or prolong your dog’s life, since some of the most aggressive cancers start with a small tumor between the pads or on the nail bed [13].
What’s more, regular paw cleaning for dogs can help get your pooch used to having his/her paws handled! That kind of desensitization can help make everyday events like toenail trims and splinter-removal less stressful for them. It can also make it much easier to take care of (e.g., clean, bandage, apply medicine to) paw injuries. With all these good reasons, why wouldn’t you buy a dog paw cleaning cup, like PeppyPup’s Muddy Cup? Dog paw hygiene is a safe, smart, squeaky-clean investment!
Sources:
1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/202003/unfounded-fears-dogscan-spread-covid-19-can-cause-harm
2. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/can-dogs-get-coronavirus/
3. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/20/pets-make-you-less-stressed-more-productive-and-he
althy-amid-covid-19.html
4. https://www.today.com/style/how-long-does-coronavirus-live-clothes-t175943
5. https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/can-you-get-coronavirus-from-yourdog-plus-other-pet-related-covid-19-questions-answered/
6. https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/how-care-your-pets-if-youre-ill-or-have-self-isola
te-due-coronavirus
7. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/can-i-walk-my-dog-during-a-pandemic/
8. https://www.vice.com/en_in/article/k7eypn/how-care-dogs-pets-quarantine-coronavirus
9. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/17/817214311/new-analysis-suggests
-months-of-social-distancing-may-be-needed-to-stop-virus
10. https://pethelpful.com/dogs/How-to-Kill-the-Parvo-Virus-from-your-Dogs-Environment
11. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/disease-risks-dogs-social-setti
ngs
12. https://www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/10-diseases-your-pets-could-give-you/
13. https://m.petmd.com/dog/conditions/cancer/c_dg_squamous_cell_carcinoma_digit